The world seems to be growing weary of positive psychology. But before we jettison the whole endeavor, we should remember that positive psychology has served as an important corrective. This is not to say, of course, that there is nothing in positive psychology that cannot be criticized. But maybe there is a better way to measure happiness, one that has nothing to do with questionnaires

Nobody wants a loved one to die. Nobody wants to deal with serious injury or threat. But unfortunately these things happen, and when they do, it's never easy. Most of us suffer, at least for a short period of time, and we have to adapt. But the truth—the empirical reality—is that most of us do cope well.